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Nearly the 4th July - North America
Crouch End Cellars
Tasted July 6, 2022 by oenanthe with 101 views
Introduction
Another meet-up of the WS North London Group, with a selection of wines from North America - a mixture of age and youth, funk and finesse.
Flight 1 - Gathering (1 note)
White - Sparkling
2015 Davenport Vineyards Limney Estate
87 points
Yeasty brioche, apples and some wet wool delivered a tasty glass here. I don't often drink ESW, and this defied expectations other than in one aspect which is that beyond the initial mousse the wine went flat extremely quickly - no steady stream of bubbles, in fact no bubbles at all. Lightly pétillant on the tongue tip but even that declined noticeably and half of both my glasses were essentially still wine. Maybe that's what the S stands for? A shame as I do quite like my fizz to, well, fizz.
Flight 2 - The Whites (2 notes)
California vs Washington
White
2017 Rhys Alesia Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains
88 points
Quite grassy and sharp, quite old school in some ways with a classical nose. Lovely palate with elements of honey and flowers, a touch of oak - well made wine that is drinking very nicely now. A great contrast to the richer WA Chardonnay alongside it. However...and this is the kicker, it was £46 (£40 lowest I could find in the UK) and good as it was it is not exactly stellar value. That price bracket opens up an enormous number of old-world wines that (in my admittedly narrow view) I would pick ahead of this nearly every time.
White
2017 Sleight of Hand Chardonnay The Enchantress Old Vine
89 points
Rich and luscious, but with excellent acidity that cut through fatty meat and cheese and was delicious. A core of apples and melon, I'd happily sip this anywhere. Very decent. Label a bit embarrassing, but I suppose it is their "brand" - before this evening I'd have avoided it in a shop as it looks juvenile and cheap. I now know better. Lovely stuff.
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Flight 3 - Funky interlude (1 note)
Red
2018 Pax Dazed and Carbonic
88 points
First tasting - Very very cloudy, and a deep pink hue. Lightly fizzy, like freshly pressed juice. Crazy cherry on the nose, and also a bit sulphuric but this was not present on the palate. Funky and intense, quite punchy actually.
Second tasting - chilled down and I much preferred it colder, it was more like a belgian fruit beer than wine! All raspberry and cherry, very refreshing. Would I drink this on a hot summer day? I might!
Second tasting - chilled down and I much preferred it colder, it was more like a belgian fruit beer than wine! All raspberry and cherry, very refreshing. Would I drink this on a hot summer day? I might!
Flight 4 - Lighter Reds (2 notes)
Red
2006 Sean Thackrey Pinot Noir Andromeda Devil's Gulch Ranch
93 points
Distinctly PN on the nose, earthy cherry and blackcurrant (Ribena - and I love wine to smell like Ribena!). Definite brickish orange edges, but no way would I have said it was as old as 2006 - much much fresher than the colour would suggest. Totally delicious, good comparison with a Vosne in the simple style. Red fruit to the fore and a nice spicy finish. Excellent.
Red
2015 Sleight of Hand Syrah Levitation
89 points
Very interesting, not very Syrah on the nose for me, more like Gamay or PN. Much more traditional Syrah on the palate, juicy, round and smooth with lashings of dark and red fruits. Very nice.
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Comment
Flight 5 - Zins (2 notes)
Red
2018 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles
89 points
Very herbal on the nose, and good aromas of dark berry fruit. Not excessively tannic at all, a smooth wine that leads to an extremely drinkable glass. Ready now I would say, which surprised me.
Red
2013 Ridge Geyserville
90 points
Succulent and sweet, others noted a touch of heat, I wasn't sure. Easy going nose, rounded palate is nicely smooth. A good mix of leather, dried meat, fennel and decently fruity still. Delicious, no wonder such a popular wine.
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Flight 6 - Andre's Specials (2 notes)
Red
1999 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Cortina
87 points
Astonishingly alive and making a mockery of the CT drinking window! A bit hot perhaps and smelled quite alcoholic, but still incredibly primary on the palate. It could go on, and there is absolutely no way I would have guessed that this was 23 years old, I would have maxed out at about 3!! Extraordinary!
Red
2011 Arns Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley
90 points
Rich, fruity, green pepper, herbs. Very prominent lush fruit, in your face. There is an exuberance about this wine, it is fun.
Flight 7 - To close (1 note)
White - Fortified
2019 Quady Winery Orange Muscat Essensia
Like bitter apricot jam! From a half, a fun way to finish the night although my taste buds were rather shot by this time, and this is all my notes say.
Closing
A slightly smaller group than usual, summer is a busy time, but a nice selection of wine mostly from California as you might expect. CEC as good as ever, friendly staff and excellent cheeses.